Michael Moore Hates America

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All Rise...

Judge Christopher Kulik gives the new kid on the block a chance with his first film and is impressed, though he stipulates that the title shouldn't be taken literally.

The Charge

"I wouldn't go see this film!"—-- Michael Moore

Opening Statement

Independent writer/producer/director Michael Wilson is a native of
Marshfield, Wisconsin and he decided to make a documentary about one of the 21st
century's most controversial filmmakers. Wilson spent several years on this
project, and was finally able to get a limited release in late 2004 and,
incidentally, around the same time as Fahrenheit 9/11 was being released
directly to DVD. Is this really another right-wing crack case against Moore, or
is it something more thought-provoking than that? Michael Moore Hates
America finally comes to DVD courtesy of Allumination Filmworks, mere weeks
before Moore's latest film Sicko, which
attacked the health care industry.

Facts of the Case

Wilson has two primary goals here: showing that Moore is not open to dissent
and then asking if he hates America because of that reason. In the style of
Moore's 1989 breakthrough hit Roger & Me, Wilson travels across the
U.S. and goes to Canada to get interviews with people and find out how they feel
about Moore and his work. He talks with politicians, comedians, other
documentarians, journalists, and ordinary citizens, who each give their
individual opinions on not just Moore but America in general. In addition, he
tries constantly to get a 45-minute interview with the Big Guy himself, though
is rejected a number of times. Like Moore, Wilson provides his own unique brand
of humor while at the same time making some valid points.

The Evidence

As I said in my recent review of Sicko,
don't judge the man, just understand the issue at hand. I refused to judge
Wilson while watching Michael Moore Hates America, not because its his
debut effort and I wanted to be nice, but because I respect what he believes in
as much I respect what Moore believes. For better or for worse, we are all in
the same boat, and therein lay a significant problem: some of us want to stay on
deck, while others would rather be down below. This is exactly one of the major
discussion points in Michael Moore Hates America: we are a divided
country, with one major section being compassionately conservative, while the
other is largely liberal. The first thing that Wilson does right is not reveal
his political beliefs, because it doesn't really matter. Second of all, he gets
straight to the point and presents his two goals. While he succeeded 75 percent
of the way, there are several occasions in which he stumbles. However, I can
overlook that because he is brand new to this game.

I understand that the title alone will determine how much this film will be
rented, because perception is reality. However, the title has an alternate
meaning, believe it or not, that of merely commenting on (rather than attacking)
the subject and seeing what the reaction is from many people on Moore's films.
At times, Wilson makes it clear that he is even edgy about using the title or
not, because he knows he will expect retaliation. You know what, I admire him
for that, and the irony is that Michael Moore does the same thing to a certain
extent. He doesn't truly know if Moore hates America, and thus he never really
implies it, even though he does state that he loves his country with a passion.
In other words, he probably thinks that Moore is right but he is going about the
wrong way, or maybe he thinks there is a mask on Moore's face that hasn't been
taken off yet.

Naturally, he does question Moore's antics and ways of presenting facts, but
he is never really mean-spirited about it and doesn't go off on some
Moore-bashing crusade. I got that clear indication when Moore went to a
university near his hometown for a book signing of his best-selling "Dude,
Where's My Country?" Wilson gets the microphone to ask a question and is
honest with Moore about him making a documentary called Michael Moore Hates
America and simply requests for an interview. In response, Moore doesn't get
upset though he does unfairly slam back at the inquiry, saying that
Wilson is being slanderous and that he is the one who hates America.
Obviously embarrassed, Wilson just simply turns around and walks out, but then
receives some positive comments outside about how he stood up against Moore with
many of his fans. Thus, an idea is born.

Over the course of his journey, Wilson interviews some fascinating people.
One of my favorites is Penn Jillette (from "Penn and Teller," a comedy
show on selling lies), who says that he is sick of Moore indicating that he is
speaking for the majority of America. Later, Wilson goes to filmmaker Albert
Maysles (Gimme Shelter), who gives
his two cents on how Moore has gone off the beaten path as far as making
documentaries are concerned. Then there is a psychiatric doctor who suggests
that Moore is living in a fantasy world, as well as a low-key comedian who
comments on how Moore has become a figure of praise (as well as ridicule) in our
politically divided country. Wilson even manages to meet some of those
associated with Moore's films, like the tellers at the Michigan bank where Moore
bought a gun (in the opening sequence of Bowling for Columbine) and Sgt.
Peter Damon, who lost his hands in Iraq and is featured in Fahrenheit 9/11 via archived NBC footage.
While some of those interviewed say the same things (i.e. suggesting that Moore
twists facts to satisfy his ego), others seem very open in their revealing
comments on questioning where the truth really lies.

Let me be outright honest: I don't believe that Michael Moore
hates America, though there are two things you must consider as I say
this, with a) he could and b) if he does, so what? The reason why I mention this
is because most of those who hate Moore are those that love the U.S., and feel
that Moore is harming it in some way just because he goes after certain targets
and ridicules them. Additionally, those same people say that America is the
greatest country in the world and—-if you don't agree with
that—-then you are traitor and should move to France. They also say if you
hate or bad mouth the president, than you hate America, even though freedom of
speech is absolute. My whole contention has been that every country has its
problems, flaws, and downfalls, including America. We are not ideal in any way,
and we are not superior to anyone, and while many of those that Wilson
interviews disagree, that doesn't mean that I hate them or this country. Like I
said before, people will believe what they want to believe, and that is the
ultimate theme of Michael Moore Hates America.

That being all said and out of the way, I did had qualms with some of the
things the interviewees said and if I did have the chance to meet them, I would
ask them other questions that Wilson doesn't ask. For example, the NRA member
questions (but does not antagonize) Moore on "rewriting history" with
how he portrays the organization in Bowling for Columbine. She believes
that Moore is misleading children into what he says in his documentaries, and I
must put in a word on that. When I was kid, I was taught that the Pilgrims came
over to America and became friends with the Indians, and agreed to live in peace
after the Thanksgiving supper. What they didn't teach us (at my school, at
least) was that the Pilgrims had essentially landed, the Indians offered peace,
and eventually the former started to push them away and kill them over the next
century. I was never taught that the Indians were persecuted, driven out, and
prejudiced well until the 20th century, and that our ancestors, essentially
stole the land away from them. Whether the NRA member is right or not,
history is constantly being rewritten, especially by real historians.

Then there is Sgt. Peter Damon, who talks about how genuinely upset he was
when Moore acted as a voice for him and "portrayed the military as a bunch
of fools." First off, I say bless his heart because he truly did a brave
thing joining the military and fighting for our country, and that is why I say
that I support the soldiers and not the war. However, what he does in essence is
contradict himself when he says he has his voice and he can speak up for
himself…well, in Fahrenheit 9/11 he really did when he
talked about what it felt like to lose his hands. I do agree with him 100
percent that Moore should have at least gotten his permission to put him in the
film, though at the same time I don't think he watched the entire film, because
at the end Moore does in fact say how much respect and love he has for the
soldiers and their commitments. So, I'm not sure exactly what Damon means by
saying that that the military is presented negatively and unpatriotically by
Moore.

As for Wilson himself, he basically only asks questions and doesn't provide
answers, which I think is a strong benefit for Michael Moore Hates
America because he wants the viewers to come up with their own perceptions.
After watching the film, I had a lot of respect for the guy and even wouldn't
mind having a pint with him sometime. However, like most filmmakers he does have
his small indulgences, such as being satisfied over some happy people playing
hockey in the street and saying: "I really doubt this would be happening in
front of Jacques Cherac's house in France." OK, what does have to do with
anything, Mike? Even though he doesn't reveal his political views, he makes it
clear that he doesn't like France, though he fails to even elaborate on that. In
defense of him, though, his humor is certainly inspired, like when he shows
pictures of African Americans who are members of the NRA while the woman he
interviewed talks about how Moore compares the organization with the KKK in
Bowling for Columbine. He says: "Call me crazy, but I don't think
the Klan would hire these people!"

The Rebuttal Witnesses

Michael Moore Hates America took over three years to get to DVD, after
it had garnered some praise by Ebert and Roeper and was even nominated for the
Audience Award at the 2005 L.A. film festival. The film is presented in an
adequate 1:33:1 Full Frame transfer, and you can tell that the film was filmed
on a very low budget, though that is what I expected. What is extremely
disappointing is the fact that there is absolutely nada in terms of bonus
features—-not counting a crudely made trailer which is pretty much the
first five minutes of the actual film! Alluminations Filmworks also provides
some previews of films like Flight 93. Come on, Mike, I'm sure that you
could have injected a documentary or two about making your first film. Also, you
mean to say that there are no deleted scenes whatsoever? Did you run out of
money or something? Oh, well, maybe a special edition will come out in the near
future.

It must be pointed out that people will dismiss this because of the title
alone, and to be honest, this deserves to be rented just for the dedication that
Wilson put into the project. Part of the reason why I viewed this film and
wanted to write a review on it is while I do respect Moore and his work (as if
you couldn't tell by my Sicko review), I'm more
than willing to listen to alternative viewpoints. What I give Wilson all the
credit for is making an insightful little documentary that says more about us as
Americans than how we feel about Michael Moore himself. I'm actually a bit
disappointed that he never got that interview with Moore, not because it
suggests that Moore is a shameful manipulator who refuses to be spited, but
because it would have at least answered the questions he had. And that's all
they were: not accusations or vicious attacks, but just questions.

Closing Statement

This is the perfect film to rent one night with Sicko, though I do recommend you view other films
by Moore so you know exactly what Wilson is talking about. That way, you could
then here two conflicting reports and then come up with your own viewpoint. As a
fan of Michael Moore, I say that Michael Wilson has done an excellent job on his
freshman effort, so give Michael Moore Hates America a go, as you may be
surprised.

The Verdict

Michael Wilson has talent and Michael Moore Hates America is a fine
independent documentary. Both are free to go and while the court looks forward
to Wilson's next film, we hope it's not Michael Moore Still Hates
America. Case dismissed.